Introduction:
Regeneration begins the new life in the soul. Justification deals with the
new attitude of God toward that soul—and the soul toward God. Adoption
admits man into the family of God.
Regeneration
has to do with
our change in nature. Justification, with our change in standing.
Sanctification, with our change in character. Adoption, with
our change in position.
In regeneration, the
believer becomes a child of God. (John 1:12, 13)
In adoption, the
believer receives a place as an adult son.
Galatians 4:1-7
1“Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth
nothing from a servant through he be lord of all;
2“But
is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3“Even
so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the
world:
4“But
when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a
woman, made under the law,
5“To
redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of
sons.
6“And
because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying Abba, Father.
7“Wherefore
thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God
through Christ.”
1.
History of Adoption:
In Paul’s day, it was a Roman custom that a child was placed under slaves
and teachers during childhood. At the age of 14, the child graduated from
a period of discipline and was recognized as an adult member of the
family. The ceremony for this recognition was called “ui.oθesi,a”,
which we find in Ephesians 1:5. At this ceremony, the father came in with
a robe over his arm and a ring on his hand. The robe was called a Toga
Vorilis. The father would say, “I, your father, now recognize you as an
adult member of this family.” He would shake his hand (arm) and then put
the robe upon him. He was then free to function as an adult citizen in the
Roman world. Paul takes this custom and describes spiritual adoption in
Galatians 4.
2.
The
Meaning of Adoption:
a.
Adoption means the placing of a son.
It is a legal
metaphor as regeneration is a physical one.
It is a Roman
work—hardly used among Jews.
b.
Adoption means the taking by one man of the son of another to be his son,
so that that son has the same position and all the advantages of the son
by birth.
c.
Adoption is a Pauline work. Galatians 4:5; Romans 8:15, 23; 9:4; Ephesians
1:5
3.
The
How of Adoption:
Ephesians 1:4 & 5
gives us the “How”. The baptism of the Hold Spirit takes place at the
moment of salvation, at which time the child of God is free to operate as
an adult heavenly citizen. John 3:3; John 3:7, Galatians 3:26; Titus 3:5
In a certain sense,
adoption is eternal in its nature. Ephesians 1:4, 5.
The incarnation
was foreordained, and it took place in time.
The Lamb was slain
from the foundation of the world—but actually only on Calvary.
Why mention this
eternal aspect of adoption? TO EXCLUDE WORKS!! Salvation had its origin
solely in the GRACE OF GOD. Romans 9:4-11
4.
The
When of Adoption:
It takes place the
moment one believes in Jesus Christ. I John 3:2; Galatians 3:26. John 1:12
Our sonship will be
completed at the resurrection and coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:23
5.
The
Results of Adoption:
Galatians 4:5 and
Romans 8:15 tell us that we are free to serve God by taking advantage of
all His provisions. Before salvation, we are on the outside of the prison
house of sin with Jesus Christ, the One free man who saved us. This
freedom makes possible a relationship with Christ, which results in a
victorious and fruitful life.
6.
The
Blessings of Adoption:
a.
We are
objects of God’s peculiar love. John 17:23
b.
We are
objects of His Fatherly care. Luke 12:27-33
c.
We
have the family name. I John 3:1; Eph. 3:14,15
d.
We
have the family likeness. Romans 3:29
e.
We
have the family love. John 13:35; I John 3:14
f.
We
have Fatherly chastisement. Hebrews 12:5-11
g.
We
have Fatherly comfort. Isaiah 66:13; II Cor. 1:4
h.
We
have an inheritance. I Peter 1:3-5
7.
Some Evidences of Sonship (Adoption):
a.
Led by
the Spirit. Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:18
b.
Have a
childlike confidence in God. Galatians 4:5,6
c.
Have
liberty of access. Ephesians 3:12
d.
Have
love for the brethren. I John 2:9-11
e.
Are
obedient. I John 5: 1-3
8.
Future of Adoption:
Because we have been
adopted into the family of God, we are heirs and joint-heirs with Jesus
Christ.
Romans 8:17 “And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
We are assured of
ultimate sanctification, a resurrection body, a time when we will not have
a sinful nature and an eternity with Jesus Christ.
TO KNOW JESUS IS TO
HAVE ALL HE HAS PROVIDED.
